KMT holds a commanding position in the 2026 Taiwanese local elections due to its control of 13 of 22 mayoral and magistrate seats entering the cycle, combined with stronger incumbency advantages and voter bases across most counties and cities. Recent polling shows DPP candidate Puma Shen narrowing the gap with KMT incumbent Chiang Wan-an in Taipei to roughly eight points, driven by gains among younger and independent voters, while races in New Taipei and southern strongholds remain competitive but tilt toward established KMT or DPP candidates. TPP faces structural barriers, including limited candidate slates, suspended cooperation with KMT in select areas, and subdued national momentum ahead of the November 28 vote. These factors underpin trader consensus favoring KMT as the party securing the most victories.